The injury is believed to have been caused during Carolina's game last Saturday in St. Louis (a 4-2 loss). Star Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo hit Semin hard behind his net but was not assessed a penalty or suspension for the play:

Was Pietrangelo's hit on Semin legal?

Was Pietrangelo's hit on Semin legal?

Yes

43.3%

No

56.7%

Total votes: 120

According to ShiftChart data, Semin took four shifts later in the second period but did not play in the final 25 minutes of the game.

It's the Russian winger's second concussion in the past five months—a growing worry among the 'Canes medical staff, who have also treated Skinner with a concussion three times so far over his brief career.

Semin had a concussion at the end of last season when the Canes shut him down. Not good news at all to hear he's out with another one.

Semin's expected time off the ice will only add to Carolina's exponentially increasing man-games lost total, which currently ranks fourth-highest in the NHL. From expected first- and second-string goalies Cam Ward and Anton Khudobin to top-four defensemen Joni Pitkanen (out for the year) and Tim Gleason, the entire roster has been brutally ravaged by health issues this autumn:

The Hurricanes' offense has struggled through some rough times this season. The unit currently ranks 28th in goals per game, 20th in shots per game and 27th in Fenwick close.

Losing Semin will certainly not help them move up the standings in any of those categories. No. 28 currently ranks second on the team with nine points and first in Corsi rating; his flowing zone entries and offensive playmaking abilities have been among the team's few offensive bright spots.

The lack of his and Skinner's impact was clearly evident in Monday's 4-1 loss to Boston, as described by stat analyst Corey Sznajder via Twitter:

No 53 or 28 + tons of dump and chase = not much offense off zone entries.

Are injuries a legitimate excuse for the 'Canes problems?

Are injuries a legitimate excuse for the 'Canes problems?

Yes

77.8%

No

22.2%

Total votes: 90

At one point, the 'Canes were blessed with over a minute of a five-on-three advantage, down 2-1 in the second period.

They then proceeded to attempt two dump-and-chase offensive zone entries, an absolutely inexcusable last resort up two men. The Bruins cleared the puck three times, and the sequence ended without any significant scoring pressure.

If the Hurricanes' attacking play without Semin's guiding presence continues like it did Monday, Raleigh's holiday season could shape up as a painfully horn-less and loss-laden one.